As a huge fan of Jason Sudeikis’ work, I must say his life experiences seem to have played a significant role in bringing such depth and authenticity to his character, Jimmy. His ability to convey raw emotions while maintaining a sense of humor is truly remarkable. It feels as if he’s not just acting, but living the roles he plays.
⚠️ WARNING: This interview discussion may reveal plot details from “The Last Thanksgiving,” the final episode of Season 2 of “Shrinking,” currently available on AppleTV+.
The second season of the AppleTV+ comedy “Shrinking” concluded on Christmas Eve, fittingly so, with a festive episode that took place during Thanksgiving. In this series filled with witty and complex characters – therapists and their families – they each expressed gratitude for different aspects in their personal lives.
However, since forgiveness played a significant role this season, one major storyline ended on a hopeful note: Jimmy (Jason Segel) managed to overcome the guilt he’s carried about not being a good father to his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell), following the sudden car accident death of her mother and his wife. Moreover, Jimmy was able to forgive Louis (Brett Goldstein), the person who caused that tragedy, and offered him assistance in his time of need.
Segel discussed his recent Golden Globe nomination for “Shrinking” with EbMaster, along with the possibility of working again with Cobie Smulders, his co-star from “How I Met Your Mother”, in the upcoming third season. Additionally, he shared his experience of crying in front of Harrison Ford during filming and gave some insights about the show’s third season.
Are you experiencing a unique or dreamlike atmosphere this time around, given that it’s your second Golden Globe nomination? Or does it feel familiar and just as exciting?
I’m not sure if it’s unbelievable or just part of the job, but for all these years, I’ve been constantly questioning my abilities and feeling like an imposter. Yet, here I am, with a quarter-century under my belt! Can you believe it’s been 25 years since “Freaks and Geeks”? It’s quite remarkable that I’m still here, and even more so that I get to create quality work that people appreciate watching. I consider myself incredibly fortunate.
Prior to the series finale titled “Shrinking,” Episode 8 featured some intense flashbacks that shed light on Jimmy’s past, particularly following Tia’s (Lilan Bowden) demise. Did these revelations provide new insights about Jimmy for you, or were they already familiar details from your previous knowledge?
I’ve already been familiar with all this, but watching Jimmy struggle during Season 1 was particularly challenging, especially since the narrative focused on helping him emerge from his grief and return to his starting point. This current season is about progression, which means I approach him differently, mentally speaking. Portraying him in such intense pain again during this part of the story feels like a different phase of our journey.
As an actor, I’m not overly emotional or free-spirited, but there was a sense of, “Oh dear, this was truly awful.” Returning to the location where Jimmy caused further distress to Alice intensified the guilt and embarrassment I feel as Jimmy in those scenes with her. My role is to maintain that feeling and monitor it, allowing it to gradually dissipate. It’s like being wounded anew by the thought of, “Oh no, you were terrible.” Filming was challenging.
I’m assuming that filming the reunion scene with Cobie wasn’t difficult because of the strong chemistry between our characters. The response on social media after the episode release suggests that fans want to see more of her. So, I’d like to ask, how was it working with her again in this new project?
Reuniting with Cobie once more felt like a wish come true. Over nine years on “How I Met Your Mother”, our Marshall/Robin dynamic didn’t include scenes together. This new scenario presented an exciting gap in our shared acting past. Perhaps the reason viewers are responding positively, finding it intriguing and desiring more, is because this scene showcases two strangers meeting for the first time, but there’s a hint of something more, a sense of familiarity that leaves one asking, “What’s going on here?
It seems that the essence of your statement is about a strong bond formed over a decade, surviving various challenges, and the joy of still being present in each other’s lives as adults.
Any answer as to whether we could we see her character again?
Without revealing any secrets, it seems the story’s outcome largely depends on whether or not Jimmy manages to sort out his life.
As we reach the climax, Paul urges Jimmy to confront his guilt and fear alongside Alice. Is Paul revealing something Jimmy is already aware of, or does this information come as a surprise to him?
It’s my belief that we all have areas where we’re blind to ourselves. This has been my personal observation too. You might easily see what a friend needs to do, but often find yourself repeating the same mistakes. For instance, Jimmy may know who’s hiding under the bed, but it’s simpler to point fingers at others. So, I guess it’s about persistently saying, ‘it must be this, it must be that.’ Paul, being an insightful therapist and a wonderful friend, is essentially telling him, ‘you’ll keep playing whack-a-mole until you check under the bed.’
In the instance when Jimmy eventually interacts with Alice, it’s a significant development we’ve all been eagerly anticipating. Was that particular scene something you were looking forward to, and did performing it cause any apprehension for you?
Indeed, there was a pivotal scene in my role as an actor, scriptwriter, and storyteller that I felt compelled to execute flawlessly. While other scenes could be well-crafted, this one demanded a level of authenticity, vulnerability, and sincerity. How truthful are you prepared to be for this? How deeply do you feel it and convey it without resorting to showiness or attempts at impression? This moment should embody the epitome of honesty across both seasons.
Indeed, I experienced immense pressure in that situation. Interestingly, the initial recording we made was our primary choice, accounting for 85%. Subsequently, we added a few close-ups, but the majority of it remained unchanged. Typically, I’ve noticed that the first take is often the best, and subsequent attempts are more about replicating that original performance. In other words, you’re trying to recreate the same feel as the initial take, correct?
How many takes did you do with that specific scene?
We performed three attempts in total. Following the first attempt, I commented, ‘that’s the one.’ After discussing with Bill [Lawrence], I agreed that he could destroy the initial take and come very near a close-up. I suggested using as much of that footage as possible before transitioning to the close-up. My passion for film acting lies in capturing genuine moments. I believe that’s what makes it enchanting. It’s an entirely different skill set, mastering repeatability. Although you might need to perform the same action for two hours, I find the magic is when you catch something genuine.
I’ve observed that particular scene multiple times, and I adore Alice’s response as she seems to understand her father’s requirements quite well and mainly listens attentively.
Lukita is slightly leading Jimmy, which is quite endearing. This trait that Lukita possesses is also true for her. As for her age, I’m not sure, but she seems quite young and remarkably insightful for someone of her age.
Instead of discussing endlessly about collaborating with Harrison Ford, at the Thanksgiving moment, Paul rises and recollects that he hadn’t shared what he was grateful for with the group. Can you describe your feelings as you observed him performing that scene?
It was only Jessica Williams (Gaby) and me shedding tears that seemed out of place given the situation, trying hard not to mess up our scenes. We also couldn’t help but marvel at the number of people in the room. For instance, the actors who portray Christa (Liz)’s children, who are quite young. I recall discussing it with Michael Urie (Brian), expressing hope that these kids realized the extraordinary experience they just witnessed, as it was a true masterclass.
On the topic of consistency, it’s likely that Harrison delivered that speech multiple times, maintaining a similar impact each time. As Paul and I listen, some of the words he speaks resonate with me: “I don’t know how much longer I’ll get to do this,” but as I look around this room, I think, “What a fortunate individual, what a fortunate individual.” This experience seems to be erasing the boundary between Paul and Harrison. All one can do is feel lucky, awestruck, and honored to be in the presence of Harrison at this moment in his life and career. This unique encounter will remain with me for the rest of my life.
Returning to the closing moments of the last episode, Jimmy breaks down and contacts Paul, finding yourself both seated on a park bench as tears stream down. Imagine being in such a situation next to Harrison Ford – how would you react when crying?
In any situation where you’re interacting with a highly skilled or respected individual like Michael Jordan in basketball or Harrison Ford in acting, you find yourself striving to impress them, hoping they perceive your skills as commensurate with their own high standards. For instance, after a scene together, I might reflect that I hope Harrison Ford thinks positively about my acting abilities, just as Jimmy aims for Paul’s approval.
During the final scene, there’s a concern that Louis (Brett Goldstein) might stand in front of the train because he seems to have reached his lowest point. However, this doesn’t occur since Jimmy arrives. Was there any speculation or discussion about what could happen in that instant?
Indeed, it’s intriguing how the art of writing functions. Bill [Lawrence] possesses such a unique style, making him exceptional, and strangely enough, it seems that many writers share this same approach. When we embarked on crafting Season 2, we had that particular scene in mind already. The same holds true for Season 1, as well as the ending of both seasons. We even have a good idea of how Season 3 will conclude. Writing, to me, is like comparing New York and London, then venturing across the Atlantic – you have your initial concept (the starting point) and a destination in mind, but figuring out what happens in between those points can be challenging yet fascinating.
What can you say about Season 3?
We’ve been given permission to hint that the theme for Season 3 will be ‘progressing.’ As of now, this is about all we can share. In Season 1, the focus was on grief, and in Season 2 it was on forgiveness. For Season 3, we are advancing or making progress.
Watching Season 2 was like a turbulent emotional ride for Jimmy, and it seems you experienced quite a bit as well. Has this made you even more eager to join along for future episodes?
Absolutely, acting is something I’m deeply passionate about. It’s not just a job for me, it’s a deep-seated love. I pour my heart and soul into every project, which sometimes leaves me feeling drained at the end. However, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’m thrilled to have this short break as I wrapped up a movie just last week. It was an intense experience, but now I’m looking forward to recharging during the holidays. After that, I plan to do some writing and then jump back into things come January.
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2024-12-24 19:17